Copy method utilizing single radiant ray path for imaging and transfixing

Abstract

An original and a heat sensitive member are inserted as a sandwich into a copying machine and fed past a combined imaging and transfixing or fusing station where radiation is applied to the sandwich to thermally impart a latent image of the original to the heat sensitive member. Thereafter, the original is separated from the heat sensitive member and ejected from the machine. The heat sensitive member on the other hand, continues onwardly to a developing station where toner particles are applied to develop the latent image. Next, the heat sensitive member loops back towards the imaging and transfixing station, and a copy medium is brought into engagement with the developed image. The copy medium and the heat sensitive member are then passed into the imaging and transfixing or fusing station. There, the developed image is transfixed (transferred and fused) to the copy medium by applying heat to the sandwich subsequently the sandwich is discharged from the machine, and the operator then separates the copy medium from the heat sensitive member to obtain his copy. Alternatively, the transfixing step may be omitted in favor of fusing the developed image directly to the heat sensitive member at the imaging and transfixing or fusing station.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.